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National Parks
Posted on 5/25/22 at 2:01 pm
Posted on 5/25/22 at 2:01 pm
I've been to about 12 national parks and looking to go hit a few more this summer. I've been trying to hit 3 or 4 a year in hopes to see them all.
I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions for some shorter trips. Most of the parks I've been to have been for 5-10 days to ensure enough time to see or do most things.
Just looking for some suggestions on where to go for more of a 3 day trip/long weekend (the only ones I've been to that you can do most in 3 days is Hot Springs, AR and The Sand Dunes, CO)....and maybe some cool hikes, watering holes, food, etc.
I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions for some shorter trips. Most of the parks I've been to have been for 5-10 days to ensure enough time to see or do most things.
Just looking for some suggestions on where to go for more of a 3 day trip/long weekend (the only ones I've been to that you can do most in 3 days is Hot Springs, AR and The Sand Dunes, CO)....and maybe some cool hikes, watering holes, food, etc.
Posted on 5/25/22 at 2:24 pm to Tacktheritrix
in CO you can hit RM, MV and BC pretty easily. In WA/OR you can hit the three in WA and crater lake in one trip
Even easier is El Paso to GM and CC (and big bend if you have longer)
Yosemite and sequoia/KC are pretty close together. As are Joshua tree and DV
Even easier is El Paso to GM and CC (and big bend if you have longer)
Yosemite and sequoia/KC are pretty close together. As are Joshua tree and DV
Posted on 5/25/22 at 2:56 pm to Tacktheritrix
Are you looking for something within driving distance of your current location, or looking to fly then drive? What parks have you already crossed off your list?
You could start at Great Smoky Mountain, drive Blue Ridge Parkway to Shenandoah, or just spend a weekend in GSMNP.
You could use Rapid City as a base and go east to Badlands, south to Wind Cave and Mt Rushmore.
You could probably knock out Bryce and Zion in a 3 day weekend they are so close together, and the high points of Bryce are easily accessible by car/shuttle and doable in a day.
You could start at Great Smoky Mountain, drive Blue Ridge Parkway to Shenandoah, or just spend a weekend in GSMNP.
You could use Rapid City as a base and go east to Badlands, south to Wind Cave and Mt Rushmore.
You could probably knock out Bryce and Zion in a 3 day weekend they are so close together, and the high points of Bryce are easily accessible by car/shuttle and doable in a day.
Posted on 5/25/22 at 3:16 pm to PJinAtl
quote:
Are you looking for something within driving distance of your current location, or looking to fly then drive?
Either or really. The travel there is no issue. I have miles or if it's close enough I will drive.
quote:
ou could start at Great Smoky Mountain, drive Blue Ridge Parkway to Shenandoah, or just spend a weekend in GSMNP.
I have done the GSM once when I was a child. This would be a good one to revisit and hit Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge.
quote:
You could use Rapid City as a base and go east to Badlands, south to Wind Cave and Mt Rushmore.
I've been to Mt. Rushmore but none of the others.
quote:
You could probably knock out Bryce and Zion in a 3 day weekend they are so close together, and the high points of Bryce are easily accessible by car/shuttle and doable in a day.
I actually did Bryce, Zion, and Mt. Rushmore in the same trip. It was about a week long. Made sure to hit all the good hikes in Zion and spent a day in Arches as well.
So far I have been to:
Sand Dunes
Tetons
Yellowstone
Hot Springs
Smokies
St. John
Grand Canyon
Rockies
White Sands
Everglades
Capitol Reef
Arches
Some were when I was younger so I'd like to revisit, like Capitol Reef or the GSM
I really just want something that I can tackle over a 3 day period. Hit the top hikes, things to do, etc. Some of these just seem too big and have so much to offer it seems like a waste not spending a full week to get the most out of the trip.
This post was edited on 5/25/22 at 3:17 pm
Posted on 5/25/22 at 3:28 pm to Tacktheritrix
We are doing 3 days in/around the New River Gorge NP in WV this summer. Here are sample itineraries for 1-3 day visits. We are tacking on a couple of days beforehand at the Homestead, but a long weekend seemed plenty for the Gorge area itself.
This fall we are headed down to Key West for a long weekend to go to the Dry Tortugas NP.
This fall we are headed down to Key West for a long weekend to go to the Dry Tortugas NP.
Posted on 5/25/22 at 4:01 pm to Tacktheritrix
If you are located in the south there's not many you can hit in 3 days total, as in leave one morning, have the full next day, and make it back by 3rd night.
Posted on 5/25/22 at 4:16 pm to PJinAtl
quote:
You could probably knock out Bryce and Zion in a 3 day weekend they are so close together, and the high points of Bryce are easily accessible by car/shuttle and doable in a day.
Similarly, we flew in and out of Salt Lake and did "The Mighty Five" of Utah (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef) in a week. You may even do it quicker if you fly into SLC and out of Vegas and do the parks clockwise.
Posted on 5/25/22 at 7:28 pm to Tacktheritrix
Olympic is pretty awesome and Mt. Rainer is near there. But it’s a day of traveling so not a short trip unfortunately
Posted on 5/25/22 at 9:00 pm to Tacktheritrix
Some fairly close by that can be done in 3 days:
Gateway arch
Mammoth cave
Congaree
Gateway arch
Mammoth cave
Congaree
Posted on 5/25/22 at 9:00 pm to Tacktheritrix
Mammoth Caves, KY Near Bardstown, Makers Mark Distillery if exploring several routes in the caves is not enough.
Acadia, ME Near Bar Harbor Plenty of hiking, eats in town.
Teddy Roosevelt, ND... both North and South sections.
All 2 to 3 day trips, travel to/from not included.
Acadia, ME Near Bar Harbor Plenty of hiking, eats in town.
Teddy Roosevelt, ND... both North and South sections.
All 2 to 3 day trips, travel to/from not included.
Posted on 5/25/22 at 9:21 pm to Tacktheritrix
Everglades.
Timing is the key. Must go in late March/early April. Otherwise the weather or mosquitoes will get you.
There is an outfit that provides a full day tour which last around 6-10 hours depending on your schedule.
Meet up at the visitor center and 5-6 stops along the journey. A few stops are just educational stops to learn the area but 3 highlights.
1. Wet hike - walking through the Everglades with water varying from your ankles to your knees. Exploring fauna and plants.
2. Kayak - through the mangroves with gators and crocs nearby
3. Kayak - into the open water near manatees and see the sunset
Timing is the key. Must go in late March/early April. Otherwise the weather or mosquitoes will get you.
There is an outfit that provides a full day tour which last around 6-10 hours depending on your schedule.
Meet up at the visitor center and 5-6 stops along the journey. A few stops are just educational stops to learn the area but 3 highlights.
1. Wet hike - walking through the Everglades with water varying from your ankles to your knees. Exploring fauna and plants.
2. Kayak - through the mangroves with gators and crocs nearby
3. Kayak - into the open water near manatees and see the sunset
Posted on 5/25/22 at 11:07 pm to kciDAtaE
Zion and Bryce Canyon can be done in a 3 day trip. Fly into Vegas. Stay in St. George, UT. Day trip from there.
This post was edited on 5/25/22 at 11:09 pm
Posted on 5/26/22 at 6:45 am to cgrand
Go to Chaco Canyon in New Mexico.
Posted on 5/26/22 at 9:04 am to BRich
We just got back from the "mighty 5" along with Park City and the same in and out of SLC. Awesome!! One that gets overlooked is right outside Canyonlands is Dead Horse Point state park. This one has a horseshoe bend of the Colorado river. Great scenery with nice trails.
Posted on 5/26/22 at 9:13 am to Tacktheritrix
I throughly enjoyed the North Cascade National Park in Washington. If you fly into Seattle or Bellingham, it's not too far away.
Posted on 5/26/22 at 11:20 am to Tacktheritrix
Vegas is a great home base to hit several of them. If I just want to duck off for a day I can hire a driver and do whatever I want. I highly recommend Death Valley in March as the weather is nice. It probably has some of the most dramatic landscapes you will find
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